{"id":18120,"date":"2013-11-27T11:11:46","date_gmt":"2013-11-27T10:11:46","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/labs.100x100.net\/mygolfway\/pga-catalunya-first-european-tour-destination-to-achieve-geo-certified-status\/"},"modified":"2013-11-27T11:11:46","modified_gmt":"2013-11-27T10:11:46","slug":"pga-catalunya-first-european-tour-destination-to-achieve-geo-certified-status","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mygolfway.com\/en\/pga-catalunya-first-european-tour-destination-to-achieve-geo-certified-status\/","title":{"rendered":"PGA Catalunya – First European Tour destination to achieve GEO Certified status"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"PGA<\/a><\/p>\n

November 27, 2013 –<\/strong> PGA Catalunya Resort<\/a><\/strong>, near Barcelona, has become the first European Tour Destination \u2013 and the first golf resort in Catalonia \u2013 to attain golf\u2019s international ecolabel, GEO Certified.\u00a0At the picture Miguel Girbes<\/strong>, PGA Catalunya Resort golf director, with Jonathan Smith<\/strong>, CEO of GEO, and Sandra Ruttle<\/strong>, representative of the European Tour Properties.<\/p>\n

As one of the top ranked golf courses in Europe, PGA Catalunya Resort demonstrated a comprehensive approach to environmental and social issues, meeting specific criteria in the six areas of sustainable golf \u2013 Nature, Water, Energy, Supply Chain, Pollution Prevention and Community.<\/p>\n

With water and energy becoming increasingly important global topics, the home of Spain\u2019s No.1 course has recognised the value in minimising consumption and exploring opportunities for renewable alternatives and diversified sources,\u00a0to reduce its demand on main grid supplies.<\/p>\n

David Bily<\/strong>, the independent verifier who recently visited the World Top 100 venue, said: \u201cUsing the GEO OnCourse programme to achieve GEO Certified\u2122has allowed PGA Catalunya Resort to make great strides in their sustainability performance.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cThe GEO Certified award will help it build on its current achievements, and I believe,\u00a0with the enthusiasm and commitment shown towards future improvements,\u00a0PGA Catalunya Resort will further extend it\u2019s position as a leading example of sustainability in golf in Spain.\u201d<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

David Bataller<\/strong>, Golf Courses and Grounds Manager at PGA Catalunya Resort, added: \u201cSustainability is now top of the golf industry\u2019s agenda. We understood the importance, and benefits, of\u00a0implementing specific\u00a0environmental and social actions.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cGEO Certified is a symbol of the very best golfing environments worldwide and we are proud to have achieved this trusted industry ecolabel.\u00a0 We\u2019d also like to extend special\u00a0thanks to Jacobsen for their help and support in our environmental management and throughout the certification process.\u201d<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Jonathan Smith<\/strong>, Chief Executive of GEO,\u00a0added support to the announcement: \u201cAmongst many other activities, Spain\u2019s No.1 golf course uses 100% recycled water, conserves hundreds of hectares of native scrub and pine forest, and has diversified its energy supply through the use of geothermal and photovoltaic systems.\u00a0 Very few golf facilities better highlight the link between sustainability and quality than PGA Catalunya Resort.\u201d<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\"PGA-Catalunya-Stadium-Hole-11\"<\/a><\/p>\n

PGA Catalunya Resort\u2019s main sustainability highlights include:<\/span><\/p>\n